Situated close to the "Roman" Tongeren, a lot of traces from the Roman empire were found in the fertile soil of Hoeselt. In 1066, this village came under the surveillance of Hoei; it was in that time still named Housle (from hus and lo, meaning house by the forest). These forests of Hoeselt were cultivated in the 12th and 13th century.

Later on, Hoeselt was part of the Frankish Kingdom; and then its territory fell under the Bishop of Liège.

The old centre of Hoeselt, with its triangular shape, and the motheuvel (motte hill), both show the influence of its Frankish past.